Client: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Site: London, UK (2015)
Designer: Wayward
Consultants: Civic Engineers
Commissioned by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as the centrepiece of their Summer 2015 Spice Festival, The Spice Exchange was an ambitious and imaginative pavilion that brought together architecture, storytelling, food, and performance in a richly layered public installation. Designed and produced by Wayward, the project invited visitors to trade ideas, stories, recipes, and remedies within a multisensory setting.
Constructed from timber and interlaced with thousands of spice jars, the pavilion formed a vibrant, aromatic skin that reflected the cultural richness of the global spice trade. Designed like a puzzle that gradually unfolded as you walked around it, the structure revealed a sequence of interlinked spaces - each with its own atmosphere and function. Visitors first encountered a chai kiosk and spice market, followed by a small exhibition, garden and library, and an open-air story exchange. At its heart, the pavilion opened up to reveal a surprisingly generous theatre space, capable of accommodating up to 50 people.
Wayward curated a fortnightly programme of events that traced the historic spice route from East to West. Each event focused on a different world region, featuring a blend of guest speakers, storytellers, performances, food demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. The programme wove together history, mythology, travel, and cookery to create a dynamic, inclusive experience for visitors of all ages.
The Spice Exchange became a vibrant gathering place at Kew, offering an open invitation to share knowledge, memory, and flavour across cultures. Through its architectural form and curatorial vision, the project celebrated the sensory, social, and symbolic power of spices in shaping human connection.